Overheating Rodents

Our AC isn't working as well as it could be and the animal room temperature is slowly climbing. Yesterday it was so hot in there I had to cut the racks way down because the tubs were getting too hot. The rats were drinking as much water as they could and just seemed so uncomfortable. Today it is not as hot but still hot. Temp downstairs is 76 right now and upstairs it is getting close to 80. A few of the rat pups are not looking all that great. It might be from the heat or it could be from something else, but I'm not sure how to get the temperature to go down. Soon the sun will go down and the temp should drop some but for now, it is just hot. I feel so bad for them. I was thinking of bringing those in tubs downstairs since it is cooler.

What can I do?

Nope i keep my rodents at 82 all year long and produce very very well.

They will still be fine with adjustment. If you can keep a general constant temp your fine.

It was close to 90 or more in that room yesterday. Today isn't as bad since the AC is somewhat working (it wasn't working yesterday at all) but if we keep having warm days and if the AC stops working again, I'm worried I'll have some dead rodents on my hands.

if its getting in the 90s then its time to relocate them to a lower level of the house wit more ventilation.

They will produce still just not as well as the heat will cause them to ware out faster.

77-82 i get the best production in my rack.

Keep a fan on them and they should be fine. I have mine in a greenhouse that can get in the upper 80's in the summer but there is always plenty of air movement and I have never had any problems at all. I keep mine in tubs with wire tops so there is plenty of air circulation and behing shade cloth. I have even seen it get in the low 90's at times and once again never had a problem and production has been fine. I think air circulation is key.

if you aren't using pellet bedding, summer is a good time to switch...

will cut down on insulation and humidity in your tubs...

make sure to keep the bedding changed so it isn't wet...


my building will be in the 90's during the day all summer long

keep their water filled and don't crowd them and they will be fine

They will be okay. They are better with constant temperatures, be it high or low, than changing temps all the time.